Paint firm fined over worker illness

A Motueka spray paint company has been fined $15,000 and ordered to pay $20,000 in reparation to a worker who developed severe health problems after using a dangerous spraypaint without appropriate protection.

In the Nelson District Court on Friday, Spectrum Spray Painting Limited was fined $10,000 for failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of one of its workers and $5000 for failing to notify authorities of the serious harm the worker suffered.

The employee suffered severe physical symptoms after spray painting with isocyanate-based paint and not having appropriate personal protective equipment.

Department of Labour Nelson service manager Annette Baxter said the worker, who no longer worked in the painting industry and had become sensitive to the paint, suffered ongoing asthma symptoms.

"Spray painters need to be aware that the isocyanate paint, found in two-pot paints, can be extremely harmful."

The employee went to hospital and was diagnosed with isocyanate pneumonitis, and in the opinion of the doctor, was close to respiratory arrest.

The worker also suffered acute solvent neurotoxicity, which affects the nervous system, and occupational asthma.

Ms Baxter said research showed many employees were unaware of the dangers of isocyanate paints, and the case should send a strong message to spray painting companies about making sure employees were protected.

"Air-fed respirators are the only recognised personal protective clothing equipment to protect against isocyanate exposure and half-mask canister respirators are inadequate," she said.

The director of the company could not be reached for comment.

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